So, Valentine’s Day is in less than a week. :valpres: You can’t walk through a store without seeing V-Day cards, candy, teddy bears, and other Valentine stuff. TV ads are talking about deals on jewelry, flowers, and other romantic items for your significant other. All in the name of love.
I know there are people who are really into Valentine’s Day. And that’s fine and great for them — to each thier own. Me? Not so much. It feels over-hyped and commercialized, and just another reason to sell (and have to buy) Hallmark cards and cute candy. When my husband and I were dating way back when (over 28 years ago — WOW! 
) Valentine’s Day was fun, and definitely romantic. Now, 23 years of marriage later, it’s just become another day for us. We don’t buy each other anything — and we’re fine with that. I told him many years ago that I don’t need a card/candy/jewelry/flowers to know that he loves me. Also, I don’t want to put that kind of pressure on him. And he feels the same way. Sure, getting gifts is always fun — when they’re unexpected and a surprise. Not on a day when millions of other people feel the need to prove their love with gimmicky items. 
Okay, I know I sound like a bah-hum-bug cynic when it comes to Valentine’s Day. And maybe I am — just a little. I just feel that if you love someone, you should show it (or say it) every day. For me, a romantic gesture is so much more special when it comes from heart and feeling and not because the “day” says you need to be romantic. 
That said, I don’t begrudge anyone else the joy of Valentine’s Day (I promise!). :Valday: If it’s your thing and you love all the hearts and flowers (and all that other mushy stuff! 
), go for it! 
So, how many of you out there enjoy Valentine’s Day and love giving and receiving gifts from your significant other? And is there anyone who feels the same way I do about V-Day?
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 20 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 40 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
ANOTHER WILD WEDDING NIGHT
Hard to Hold
Love Me If You Dare
Wild For Him
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Wrong day to be asking LOL. Normally I don’t mind it. In fact I’d the one decorating the office. But the last few years I just haven’t been feeling it.
I don’t believe that going to a crowded restaurant and paying over $100 for roses is romantic. If I had a special guy, I’d rather spend a quiet evening together enjoying each other’s company, with lots of laughter, remembering why you like each other so much to begin with. And you’re right, that could happen any day of the week.
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As a kid V’day was always a big thing- because my dad loved it. Even after I grew up he still did silly things for all of us. Of course, it helped that his confirmation name was Valentine as was his older brother’s given name. On the other hand my b’day is 3 days after and I hated if they got combined.
That said, hubby and I don’t do anything either. I find we just don’t need it as gestures throughout the year say it all, and besides isn’t that why we have a wedding anniversary? I already know he’s “mine”. Even if I do try and give him away on occassion.
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I could have written that post myself! I feel the exact same way.
I don’t want all of those things one day a year just because the calendar says so, I want (and get) sweet, romantic gestures here and there at unexpected times throughout the year!
I think perhaps it has something to do with age (I’m almost 36) or maybe it’s just feeling secure with yourself and your partner. More than likely its a combo of both.
I have a good friend (same age as me) and I guarantee you she will be calling me first thing on the 15th to find out “what I got” for V-day. She will be excited over her trinkets of the day and disappointed by my lack of them. To me this is both sad and funny.
I am madly in love with my guy and he with me, what more do I need? Nothing, but I do get more, I get special looks that say I love you, poems written for me (yes go on be jealous ladies!! LOL) and so many other little things that mean so much more than roses and chocolates!
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Janelle it is a very commerical holiday I used to work for American Greetings and wow is all I can say there are so many people coming in and buying lots of cards and not even looking to see how much they are or what they say. It is amazing how many people just look at the cover and say okay this one is good.
We don’t do anything either sometimes it is hard to hear all the stuff everyone else gets but I really don’t like chocolate so all is okay. I do like all the heart stuff but I would like it any time of the year. And it is nuts how much resturants charge for dinner that day and a very limited menu I will stay home and make dinner.
The best thing is there is love in the air but shouldn’t there be love all the time??
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You’re not alone, Charles and I feel the exact same way as you. We’re the same way with Mother’s/Father’s Day too. Through out the year, he makes it a point to tell me how much he appreciates all the things I do for the family, he makes sure the boys tell me too. And I do the same with him.
Like you, I don’t begrudge all those who do make a big deal out of the day. We just don’t do it.
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Unfortunately, my husband needs the calendar to tell him to send me flowers or get me a gift. It’s also my half birthday. I am probably the wrong person to talk to…it’s much more fun to have my boys as valentines….they appreciate my little heart ice cubes and chocolates. Husband, not so much.
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I feel exactly the same way. I tell my husband I love him every day–usually more than once. It’s a way for companies, restaurants… to make extra cash after the holidays are over.
Have a great day all,
Cher :valbemine:
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After twenty years of marriage, buy a card for Valentine’s Day, is just one more item on my list of things to do. My husband, however, seems to take pride in getting me something special every Valentine’s day. I think he thinks if he makes Valentine’s Day special, he’s met his romantic quota for the year.
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I’m getting pretty tired of Valentine’s day for a different reason: school parties. They nag and get after the kids about sweets and the like–after canceling most recesses and PE–and then they try to find a way to have a Valentine’s party with healthy food. And THEN they give the kids chocolate as a reward for good grades. Bleech.
We make a Valentine’s pizza with the kids. It’s fun. But no, no expensive presents. Although I’m always reminding hubby I could use another book…. :valbemine:
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Ugh, Valentine’s Day….definitely worse when you don’t have a significant other to show a joint front against the holiday. When you’re alone you just come across as bitter. I think the whole thing is really over done. And I especially don’t think it is right to pressure elementary school kids to by those little cards to pass out to their classmates. Then don’t they also spend a whole day making mailboxes to hold all their valentines? I feel that some kid will always get the “dud” cards/candy or feel left out somehow.
<3 J
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I am totally with you on Valentine’s Day, Janelle. It is way too commercialized. I don’t think anyone should be put under the kind of pressure this ‘holiday’ puts a lot of people under. It’s absurd really. There’s just not anything romantic about a gesture that someone feels forced to do because it’s what society says should happen.
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One of my uncles was born on Valentine’s Day, bet my grandma wasn’t feeling to romantic after giving birth!!!
His name was Robert Valentine, poor guy! He seemed to deal with it okay. He passed away quite sometime ago.
Since I don’t have a “special someone” in my life Valentine’s Day is just another day of the week. It is very commercialized but there are some out there that do need a reminder to let the one they love know they are loved, appreciated and cared for. I don’t recall getting anything to great for Valentine’s Day when I was married, my ex was not real great with the romance!! We won’t go there!!
In my older, and now wiser years, I think that being loved and appreciated every day in small ways is much better than some big gesture once a year. I love getting flowers or any type of good surprise any day. Since having my first grandchild almost 21 years ago they are the ones I usually send Valentine’s to but they are all getting old enough they don’t care to much!! Valentine’s Day is kind of sneaking up on me and I don’t think I’m sending out any cards this year. I let my daughters, grandkids & family know I love them often throughout the year. 
:valpres:
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I’m with you Janelle! V-Day is way too commercialized.
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I love surprises and that sort of thing. I agree that its a waste of money for expensive gifts and such. But I have to say that this will be the second year that my hubby is in charge of finding something to do. I put him in charge of this task for this day/weekend only. He doesn’t normally have to make decisions like this and its fun to be surprised. Since we have five kids in the house, all I ask is a weekend with my hubby. One little weekend that we can enjoy having fun. Don’t buy me anything just take me away, find a sitter and lets have some fun. We don’t get away much so I have to use the chances.
I have to admit, if he can’t pull off the sitter this year. That will be fine…for he surprised me the other weekend with a night away and we had a BLAST! Ice skating in the mountains and watching the snow fall. It was great! Those are the moments that count. I know he loves me already, I don’t need fancy things to prove it. :)
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Valentine’s Day is just another day to me. I have never really been into this holiday. Even my hubby feels the same.
But to anyone who is really in to the holiday, :valpres:
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Though we have always observed the day in a gentle-to-the-pocketbook
way, February 14 for us has always centered around #1 son who was born
on that date. We figure there’s no way we could top that for a Valentine’s
Day gift!!
Pat C.
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It is a great excuse to have a dinner out with your hubby.
Oba in Portland is running a special dinner & if it is as great as the dinner we had Sat. it will be wonderful.
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We have some years that we do something really special for Valentine’s Day and other years when it is very low key. My birthday is 3 days before Valentine’s day, so we usually do one meal out and celebrate both. I also like to bake heart shaped cakes or cookies to celebrate with friends and coworkers. Just something simple to let them know they are special.
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Janelle my husband and I feel the same way. It was something special back when we were dating and just married. It’s not that it’s not special anymore but it’s not necessary. We will do for our daughter and get each other a card. We will even go to dinner but usually a month after. And it’s all okay!
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Hey Janelle, like you I too feel that V-Day is a bit commercialized. It takes all the fun out of having someone you love doing something special for you just because. I don’t really do celebrate V-Day much, but I haven’t ever done so either. I mean, I love the chocolates, some of the cards are cute, but just being with someone you love and knowing that they love you back is enough for me. I don’t give in to the hype. But, if I had someone special, I probably wouldn’t say what I just did either. V-Day is just another day for me.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I’ll take whatever I can get, my husband usually needs to be reminded when something special is approaching. Though he does remember my birthday and our anniversary. Valentines Day is usually low keyed, dinner out and flowers and that’s fine with me. This year he surprised me with tickets for the Kenny Rogers concert and I know I’m aging myself, but I have always been a fan and liked Kenny’s singing. So who am I to argue with my man?
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Hubby gave me the best V’day present- he came home while I was still working out with the Wii and never made one comment, just took his coat off, said hi to the dogs and sat down at the computer. Now THERE is a real gift!!
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I’m with you Janelle. My hubby gives me little things through out the year and that means so much more. Especially after 27+ years of marriage. Maybe that’s what allows for a long marriage – not expecting the expected. Keep those surprises coming.
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Hi there!! I’ve never been the flowers and candy kind of person!! I think Valentine’s Day has become way over commercialized. In my area, they put the VD’s stuff out the day after Christmas!!
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I would rather be wined and dined during the year but I don’t have anyone to wine and dine me..LOL
When I was married Valentines day, my birthday and anniversary (when reminded) was about the only time my husband gave me a gift or suprised me.
I am a romantic so like you I believe it should be all year long.
Valentines is for kids and young people not for the old..
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hmmm….this one is hard…I agree with you on the hype/commercialism of Valentine’s Day in theory…but for me….it is a lot more….Valentine’s Day was the day Dickie proposed to me…He put an add in the local paper (14.95) thing they do here for an inch space every Valentine’s. And he had a heart shaped Diamond Ring waiting for me for after I saw the paper….So for me celebrating Valentine’s is romantic and a reaffirming of our love. It’s not one day of the year where he shows me….he always told me he should have to show me or tell me all the time, that I should know by the fact that he’s there every day and what he does for me and the kids. Which is true….actions do speak louder than words but….sometimes it’s nice to hear the words and be romanced. Valentine’s also happens to be when we took our delayed honeymoon…we married a couple days before christmas and waited until February break/Valentines when the kids wouldn’t be in school so we could ship them off and have a honeymoon…
And I notice a lot of people get engaged or married on that day. With or without the commercialism…you can feel the romance in the air on Valentine’s….that’s what makes it so nice and special. Not the cards or gifts….most of the time we just vow to spend the day together…this year it’s The Daytona 500 … so that’s what we’re doing…sitting home together and watching it…something we both enjoy…and not costing us a cent.
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Oh yeah, I’m on the same wave length. We don’t do the cards and candies, but my husband does sometimes bring flowers – carnations are my favorite – on the 15th. lol
I do get up and make a coffee cake or special breakfast for the hubby and our two daughters.
My husband shows his romantic streak by writing me love letters and they are treasures beyond measure. I will probably get one this week, when I least expect it, under my pillow or in my purse, or taped to the mirror.
Is it any wonder I’m writing romance?
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:Valday:
Well, I have to kind of like Valentine’s Day! LOL! It is actually my wedding anniversary. This year will mark 16 years.
I have to admit, I used to love that day, but now I guess I’m to the point of, eh…I know, how romantice to pick it for your wedding day! LOL!!!